Abstract
Contact dermatitis is not a homogenous entity, but rather a number of subtypes contributing to different clinical presentations. For better understanding, instructional sheets provide information that assists in patient care. Informational sheets on contact dermatitis, patch testing, hand dermatitis, stasis dermatitis, and poison ivy are reviewed for open forum. Although often considered archaic therapy, restriction in use of soaps/cleansers appears to aid in clinical improvement of contact irritant dermatitis. Patient education on patch testing is greatly aided by presenting visual material prior to formal discussion. An internet site for more information regarding culprit environmental allergens is presented. Some simple methods for patients to achieve clinical improvement with eczema, hand dermatitis, and poison ivy are presented.
Highlights
Simplicity, clarity, as well as practical, usable information are important with patient presentation of the subject of eczema
Irritant contact dermatitis is not a homogenous entity, but rather a number of subtypes contributing to different clinical presentations
Contact allergic dermatitis is an eczematous dermatitis caused by exposure to substances in the environment
Summary
The general handout for this entity (informational sheet #1) categorizes dermatitis into contact irritant and contact allergic dermatitis. The normal condition of the outer skin layer is largely determined by one’s cleansing routines, such as the products used, and the frequency and context of usage [12]. Elimination of soap is routinely suggested for contact irritant dermatitis in some countries, including China [23]. Exposure to soap and cleansers (including super-fatted soaps, bath oils, and syndets) have long been recognized in laboratory studies to be an exacerbating environmental factor causing contact dermatitis. Besides topical corticosteroids to reduce cutaneous inflammation, physicians have to be more adept at aiding patients in cleanser system selection This includes for some individuals, greatly reducing bathing frequency and use of the appropriate cleansers and moisturizers. As an aside unrelated to the topic on hand, one can purchase 30 pills of terbinafine, 20 tablets of 500 mg of ciprofloxacin, or 20 tablets of doxycycline for the same, $4
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